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Sex differences in cardiovascular drug-induced adverse reactions causing hospital admissions

Eline M Rodenburg1, Bruno H Stricker, Loes E Visser

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam. The Netherlands.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|April 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Women face higher risks of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular drug adverse reactions (ADRs). Significant sex differences in ADRs necessitate tailored drug prescription and evaluation for improved patient safety.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant health concern, with underestimation of its impact on women.
  • Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations between sexes influence cardiovascular drug efficacy and safety.
  • Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to cardiovascular medications can lead to severe consequences, including hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and quantify sex-based differences in hospital admissions attributed to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from various cardiovascular drug classes.
  • To compare the relative risks of hospital admission for ADRs between women and men across different cardiovascular medication categories.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide ecological study utilizing data from the Dutch National Medical Register (2000-2005).
  • Analysis of all hospital admissions related to cardiovascular drugs.
  • Calculation of relative risks for hospital admissions due to ADRs in women compared to men, adjusted for population size and prescription data.

Main Results:

  • Cardiovascular drugs accounted for 34% of all ADR-related hospital admissions, with women comprising 54% of these cases.
  • Major contributors to ADR admissions included anticoagulants, salicylates, diuretics, and cardiotonic glycosides.
  • Pronounced sex differences in ADR hospital admissions were observed for low-ceiling diuretics (RR 4.02), cardiotonic glycosides (RR 2.38), and high-ceiling diuretics (RR 2.10), with women at higher risk.

Conclusions:

  • Significant sex disparities exist in the incidence of cardiovascular drug-related ADRs leading to hospitalization.
  • These findings underscore the importance of considering sex as a critical factor in the clinical use and evaluation of cardiovascular medications.
  • Recommendations for personalized drug prescription and risk assessment tailored to sex are warranted to mitigate ADRs in women.
Abstract

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